Transparent foldable footwear



June 18. 1929. w, lHNEN 1,717,690

TRANSPARENT FOLDA BLE FOOTWEAR Filed Dec. 11, 1926 PM June 18, 1929. UNITED STATES wraans.Imnnw,or-navvxoiuan."sr.

PATENT jOFFlCEi rmsraaasr roanmnroorwmn.

, Application fled'necember 11, 1926. Serial No. 154,106

ent waterproof material. In another type,

which I term the footwear type, the lower or shoe portion of my invention is formed usually of leather or other suitable material of appropriate shape and the upper portion of transparent waterproof material.

I prefer oil silk for the transparent waterproof material, b reason of itssuperior transparency and 1ts distinctive characteristics of waterproof, readibility to be folded or otherwise collapsed to redueeddimensions, freedom from creasing and from cracking, and simplicity of forming a waterseal joint with rubber, leather, fabrics and the like which may be employed. Oil silk is also readily cleaned and is unstained by rain, mud

and the like and in the claims I have used the expression, non-self-sustaining to characterize the tendency of oil silk and the like to collapse.

Further features and objects of the invention will be more fully understood from the following detail description and the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a side elevation of one form of my. invention; the illustration shows this form for women's use; Fig. 2 is a detail perspective view of another form of my invention as worn by a female; certain parts of my invention are illustrated in partly open position;

Fig.3 is a sectional elevation on line 3-3 of Fig. 2; A

Fig. 4 is a top plan view indicating certain parts in partially collapsed positions; this form of my invention corresponds to that illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3;

. Fig. 5 is a perspective view showing in fully collapsed position the form of my invention appearing in Fig. 4; and

Figs. 6 and 7 are side elevations illustrating further modifications of my invention.

,While my invention is illustrated in the drawings of the application for womens wear, it will be understood that my invention is equally adaptable for mens use.

Referring to Fig. 1, the form of my invention herein illustrated is what may be to one another,

defined as of the galosh? type and is illustrated as worn by'a female; the skirt of the wearer is indicated at 10, one leg at 11 and the shoe of the pump style at 12. For such form of m invention, the galosh eomprises' a rubber of the sandalsty e 13 and an upper or rotective rtion 14; the sandal is prefera 1y of rub r composition and the latter preferably of oilsilk. The line of joint or connection between the lower 1portion of the protective portion 14' and t portions of the sandal 13 are to form a waterseal. may be efiected by the use of any suitable cement by direct cementing of these materials as explained more fully heremafter in connection with Fig. 3, or by the useof such cement injcoaction with fabric, partly rubberized or unrubberized, as will be understood by. those skilled in the art.

' The toe portion15 of the sandle 13 is preferably of rubber composition which is molded or otherwise integrally connected with the sole portion 16, in turn with the arch portion e juxtaposed suitably united;

'17 and with the heel'portion 18. Such rubber parts,

15, 16, 17, 18, constitute what may be considered as the essential parts of the sandal so far as relates to the waterproof seal joint with the oil silk or other transparent protective material forming the upper portion of my invention. A corresponding sealed joint is made for other types of rubbers or like footwear apparel.

Usually, one or more straps of rubber composition such as the instep strap 19, and forward and rearward ankle straps 20, 21 are provided, the opposite ends of which are molded or otherwise integrally connected with the appropriate portions of the sandal 13 or equivalent. Such straps 19, 20, 21 are Such waterseal joint preferably not directly connected to the abutrotective material 14 may hang loosely, t

at is to say, free from the wearer s portion 22 leg 11, or, as is illustratedin Fig. 1, may be secured in more or less open and ventilating position by the use ofa ribbon 23 or the like passing through s aced loops24 formed of the oil silk 14 or 0t er material. The ends of such ribbon 23 may be tied as. is indicated'at 25. Such form of my'invention embodies distinctive artistic. features, as well as structural features.

In the wear of myinvention, the leg 11 of the user is clearly perceived through the transparent oil silk or equivalent material 14.

The water-proof character of such material 14 afiords protection against rain, mud and the like to the stocking or sock worn by the female or male user as well as to the pump or other leather or other, footwear.

As is illustrated and described hereinafter in relation to another form of my invention, the type of my invention shown in Fig. 1 is readily collapsed, after removal from the leg of the wearer, as by folding the oil silk or equivalent material 14 on itself and placing the same in folded position upon the sandal 13. or by rolling the sandal 13 within the oil silk 14, or in any other suitable or preferred manner.

In Figs. 2, 3, and 4, I have illustrated another form of my invention which is capable of greater reduction of size when collapsed or folded. Asappears in Figs. 2 and 4, the sandal 13 in this instance comprises toe, sole and instep portions corresponding generally to similar parts in Fig. 1, and marked by like reference numbers, 15, 16, 17, respectively. However, the heel portion 18' comprises a heel base 18 consisting of'a substantially flat block of rubber which is molded or otherwise integrally connected with adjacent lateral heel portions marked generally 18 which are of relatively thin rubber composition to enable the same to assume a wholly flat position. ,Such lateral heel portion 18- is molded or otherwise formed with creases as indicated at .18, 18, 18 and 18, whereby upon drawing up Y sub-portions of the lateral heel portion 18 are, self-conforming, i. e., interfold with one another at such creases 18, 18, 18 and 18 to fit snugly about the heel of the pump or other footwear of the wearer. In Fig. 2 I

have illustrated these parts in partly open and partly closed positlons.

In such form of my invention, I prefer to have a front ankle fastening means in the form of two co-acting straps, see 26, 27,

. one of which sprovided with a buckle 28 and the other with a series of holes 29 for adjustably receiving the tongue of the buckle 28,

- or in lieu thereof any other form of adjustable connection may be employed. It is also desirable to employ'a rearward loop 21 of rubber composition or other suitable mate- ;.rial,,the ends of which are molded or otherwise integrally connected to the arch portion 17 of the sandal 13. Such loop 21 is preferably free from the intermediate portions of the protective material'14.

If desired, the central portion of the loop 21 on its inner face may be provided with a lug 21, see Fig. 4, formed of rubber com tion and integral with the body of the 00p 21, to serve as a hook to en age over the contacted portion of the oil sil 14 and be caught over the upper edge of the back heel of the pump or like footwear worn y the user.

Fig. 4 illustrates therubber parts, including the toe part 15, sole part 16, arch 17 and heel parts 18', 18", 18, in substantially flattened position, preparatory to rolling up or folding up the oil silk portion 14 and its upper terminal portion 22. The'oil silk may be rolled upon itself firstly and then placed as a flattened roll upon the flattened rubber parts for the purpose of collapsing my article part may be first rolledupon itself and within the oil silk 14, and such rolling operation continued until the article assumes a generally flattened rolled shape as is indicated at 30 in Fig. 5.

Another Fig. 6 which conforms generally to that of Fig. 1, excepting that the rubber is formed of a toe part 31, sole part 32, arch part 33 and a heel part 34, the remainder of the rubber being of cut-away or skeletonized formation of rubber composition, to include a strap 35 extending centrally upwardly from the toe part 31, and meets and joins with a transversely extending strap 35, which strap 35" is connected at its opposite ends to a rearward portion on the opposite sides of the vertical flanges of the sole part 32, and further including a strap 36 extending centrally upwardly from the heel proper 34 and meeting and joining with a strap 37 connected at its opposite endsto a rear-ward portion of the arch part 33.

In the wearing of my invention of the form as shown in Fig. 6, the oil silk or equivalent material 14 extends at its forward margin, see .38, substantially vertically upwardly from the iu'nction of the strap 35 with the middle of the transverse strap 35, and there-- continued upwardly for any desired height to or below the calf of the leg 11 of the wearer and at its upper portion may be free from the leg of the wearer, or that the upper portion of the oil silk 14 may extend above the calf of the wearers legand may be trimmed and supported from the leg of the wearer similarly as is illustrated in Fig. 1. v

In the form of my invention'as shown in Fig. 7, the lower part 35 may be a pump of leather or other suitable material, to which is attached the oil silk 14, the whole serving as footwear to be worn directly on the foot and about the leg 11 of the wearer. The upper and its freedom of portion 14 of this form of my invention may be in similitude of a galosh as shown in Fig. 1 or in similitude of a boot, as may be preferred.

Fig. 7 also illustrates the use of netting of cotton, linen or other suitable material, preferably of wide mesh to insure transparency and visibility. Such mesh 40 may be employed in reinforcement of the oil silk 14 particularly at its lower portion, to relieve any undue strain on the oil silk when putting on and taking off my inventionand to minimize the wear of the oil silk when brought into frictional engagement of one boot or galosh with the other. As is indicated in Fig. 7, the netting 40 or equivalent mesh material is shown applied also to the joint 41 of the oil silk 14 with the foot-wear 35 and to thereby also reinforce the joint 4.-1. In a similar manner, a double or other multiple thickness or ply of oil silk may be employed to yield increased strength at the desired locations.

In the respective forms and types of my invention, the upper or protective portion for at least its major portion reveals the shape of the wearers legs and preserves the color efiect of the stocking or sock worn by the wearer. In mens use, the lower portions of the legs of the trouser are likewise visible through the oil silk or equivalent material, thus preserving the continuity of the color and weave markings ofthe trousers, and enhancing'the appearance of the apparel of the wearer. V w

Usually, the oil silk is colored, such as of a light yellow tone, clear green or other desired color, and preferably artistically consonant with the'color of the stocking or othe outer garment worn by the wearer.

Oil silk is preferred by me as the upper or protective material, by reason of its high degree of transparency, its water-proof qualities being readily rolled upon collapsed, and without causing creases or creatmg cracks. However, other similar material may be employed in lieu of oil silk, and it will be understood that the term oil silk as employed in the appendedclalms includes such similar ma-' terial. i

It is also understood that the term shoe as used in the appended" claims connotes the several ordinary forms of shoes and also the various forms of so-called rubbers and waterproof-sandals.

. Whereas I have described my invention by reference to specific forms thereof, it will be understood that many changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

I claim:

1. An article of foot and leg apparel comprising a leg portion of non-self-sustaining material constructed to loosely fit the leg of the wearer, an uppermost part of said leg portion being formed as a' down-turned cuif, a strap loop secured to an upper part of said body portion of said leg portion, a strap passing through said strap loop for securement about the leg of the wearer at a location above the calf, and a foot portion for securement of said sheet material to the foot of the wearer.

2. An article of foot and leg apparel comprising a leg portion of non-self-sustaining material constructed to loosely fit the leg of the wearer, an uppermost part of said leg portion being formed as a down-turned cufl", a strap loop secured to an upper part of said body portion and extending above said body portion, a strap passing through said strap loop for securement about the leg of the wearer above said body portion to thereby provide a ventilating opening at the top of said leg portion, and a foot portion for securement of 'said sheet material to the foot of the wearer.

3. An article of foot and leg a parel comprising a leg portion of non-sel -sustainin material construetedto loosely fit the leg 0 the wearer, an uppermost part of said leg body portion of said leg portion, a strap passin through said strap 100p for securement a ut the leg of the wearer at a location above'the calf, and a collapsible foot apparel secured to the lower part of said leg portion.

4. An article of foot and leg a parel comprising a leg portion of non-sel -sustainin material constructed to loosely fit the leg 0 the wearer, an uppermost art of said leg ortion being formed-as a own-turned cu a strap loop secured to an upper part of said' body portion and extending above said body portion-, a strap passing through said strap loop for securement about the leg of the wearer above said body portion to thereby provide a ventilating opening at the top of said leg portion, and a collapsible foot apparel for sespecification this 9th day of December, 1926. I

WIARD' B. IHNEN. 

